Survival of Bacteria on Metal Surfaces

Survivor curves were determined forSerratia marcescens, Sarcina lutea, Pasteurella tularensis , andP. pestis deposited from the airborne state onto metallic surfaces and subsequently stored at various humidities and temperatures. Cells of all species tested remained alive longest in a dry atmosphere, except that cells ofS. marcescens survived best in a saturated atmosphere. Survival decreased most rapidly at the intermediate humidity level for three of the test organisms, yetP. tularensis died most rapidly in a saturated atmosphere. An increase in temperature decreased survival ofP. pestis andP. tularensis .